POUCH PROVIDED WITH A MULTI-PART CLIP ARRANGEMENT IN AN AUTOMATED ASSEMBLY PROCESS

Description

Background

[0001] The present invention relates to the subject-matter of claims 1 and 13.

[0002] It is well known in the art to associate a clip or closure device with a variety of products. Some examples include product packaging, resealable pouches, flexible tubing, piping or other conduits, and fabrics. In essence many flexible, deformable materials are often associated with clips and closure devices.

[0003] In the medical field pouches containing fluids are often used for a variety of purposes. For instance, saline solutions, medical wastes, and chemical hot and cold packs are considered but a few of the uses. Similar pouches are used for phase change materials, one such example being that of an ice pack.

[0004] One possible feature that these products have in common is a clip that contains some form of clamping mechanism to capture the pouch. A hinge is often disposed in some manner on the clip enabling the clamping mechanism to move selectively from an open to a closed position. The clip is secured or maintained in a damped position by the use of a latch mechanism.

[0005] One form of hinge commonly used to join the two clamping mechanisms or clamping Jaws is a strap-like hinge, known in the art as a living hinge". However, this construction is not easily adapted to the automated sorting and feeding of the clip and subsequent attachment of the clip to the product. Due to the inherent flexibility of the living hinge, the clamping surfaces move with respect to one another when the clip is moved through an automated assembly process. This results in a random orientation of the clip making it impractical for an automated assembly process.

[0006] As a result, clips of this construction are often manually attached to their associated products. Among other things this results in limited production capacity.

[0007] As such, there exists a need for a process for automating the attachment of a clip or closure device to a product. Such a process would lend itself to automated sorting, feeding, and assembly of a finished article.

Summary of the Invention

[0008] As such, a process for automating the positioning and fastening of a clip to a pouch is disclosed for a better understanding of the invention. A first clip member having ends, a clamping surface, a latching component, and a hinge component is provided. The hinge component includes a necked region which Is disposed proximate to one of the ends of the clip member. A second clip member also having a clamping surface, a latching component, and a hinge component is provided as well. Each of the clip members are loaded Into feed mechanisms and mechanically manipulated Into desired orientations. The clip members are dispensed In aligned, spaced apart relation with their clamping surfaces, latching components, and hinge components disposed one toward the other. A pouch having a plurality of sealed sides and an open end Is positioned between the clamping surfaces and the clip members are joined together by fastening the hinge component of the first clip member to the hinge component of the second clip member. This forms a clip that hinges at the necked region having a releasable latch operable by fastening and unfastening of the latching components. The clip serves to capture and retain the pouch. The clip may be fastened in some manner to the pouch.

[0009] In another aspect, an automated process for assembling a flexible container with a clip is disclosed. A flexible container having an interior, an exterior, and at least one opening from the exterior to the interior is provided along with a first and a second clip member having a clamping surface, a latching component, and a hinge component Each is continuously moved until the first and the second clip members are in aligned, spaced apart relation with the clamping surfaces, latching components, and hinge components disposed one toward the other and the container is positioned between the clamping surfaces of the clip members. The clip members are Joined semi-permanently together by fastening the hinge component of the first clip member to the hinge component of the second clip member. This, results in a clip with a hinge at one end and a releasable latch at another end. The releasable latch being operable by fastening and unfastening of the latching components. The clip serves to capture and retain the flexible container between the clamping surfaces of the clip members for selectively opening and dosing the opening to the interior of the container.

[0010] Yet another aspect discloses a process for automating assembly of a flexible material with a clip for attaching to the flexible material.

[0011] The present invention discloses a refillable pouch and clip arrangement A refillable pouch having a plurality of sealed sides and an open end is provided. First and second clip members each having a clamping surface, a latching component, and a hinge component are mechanically manipulated into a desired orientation. At least one of the hinge components of one of the clip members has a necked region proximate to one end. The necked region being a thin flexible portion of the respective clip member. The first and the second clip members are positioned in aligned, spaced apart relation with the clamping surfaces, latching components, and hinge components being disposed one toward the other. The pouch Is disposed between the clamping surfaces proximate to the open end. The first and second clip members are fastened together by joining the hinge components to form a clip having a hinge end and a releasable latch end for capturing and retaining the pouch between the clamping surfaces of the clip members. The flexible neck hinging the first and second clip members together.

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention discloses a pouch sealed against leakage by a clip. The pouch has a plurality of sealed sides and an open end which is sealed against leakage by a clip. The clip serves to secure a portion of the pouch between clamping surfaces associated with the clip. The clip has two clip members which are rigidly joined at one end to form a connecting end. The clip also has a necked region disposed upon at least one of the clip members proximate to the connecting end. The necked region serves to hinge the clip selectively open and closed to selectively seat and unseat the pouch. The connecting end is formed by loading each clip member into a feed mechanism for subsequent mechanical manipulation and dispense Into aligned, spaced apart relation with the pouch disposed between the individual clip members. This allows the ends to be rigidly joined and the clip can be subsequently fastened so that the pouch is positioned between the clamping surfaces. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] 

FIG. 1 is an overview of the process disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the FIG. 1 process depicting first and second clip members in place for fastening onto a pouch;

FIG. 3 depicts or not claimed embodiment of the final clip configuration after fastening to the pouch:

FIG. 4 shows or claimed embodiment of the clip in relation to an ice pack; and

FIG. 5 shows an alternative claimed embodiment of the rigid connection end of the clip of the present invention.

Description of the Invention

[0014] The present invention and its advantages are best understood by referring to the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.

[0015] With reference to FIGS. 1 through 6, a process for automating the assembly of a clip 10 with a product 12 is disclosed. Automating the assembly results In both an increase In the quantity of finished products available per unit of time and a per unit cost savings when compared to the costs associated with workers manually attaching the clips 10 to the product 12.

[0016] In FIG. 1, a first clip member 14 having a clamping surface 16 disposed between a latching component 18 and a hinge component 20 is loaded into a first feed mechanism 22. Similarly a second clip member 24 having a clamping surface 26 disposed between a latching component 28 and a hinge component 30 is loaded into a second feed mechanism 32. Each of the clip members 14 and 24 are mechanically manipulated into a desired orientation. Manipulation of the clip members may be accomplished by any suitable manner well known in the art. Including the use of vibration, centrifugal force, gravity, etc. As an alternative, the clip members 14 and 24 may be preoriented at the time they are loaded into their respective feeding mechanisms.

[0017] The feed mechanisms 22 and 32 in some embodiments may be bowl-type feeders. In other embodiments, the feed mechanisms may be adapted to accept cartridges (not shown) containing preoriented clip members 14 and/or 24 for loading. Other embodiments may include a single feed mechanism capable of sorting and properly orienting each clip member prior to assembly. Therefore, it should be understood that the specific form of feed mechanism or the manner in which it functions is not critical to the invention at hand. As such the feed mechanisms may take on any form understood in the art as being capable of achieving the task described.

[0018] The first clip member 14 is moved in a first direction 34 on a conveyor mechanism 36. Similarly, the second clip member 24 is moved in a second direction 38 on a conveyor mechanism 40. Though, in FIG. 1 the directions 34 and 38 are depicted as differing, it should be understood that there is no requirement that they differ. In fact, some embodiments would locate the first feed mechanism 22 proximate to the second feed mechanism 24. This arrangement makes it possible for the conveyor mechanisms 36 and 40 to operate such that feed directions 34 and 38 are the same.

[0019] Looking still to FIG. 1, it may be seen that the product 12 is moved in a third direction 42 along a conveyor mechanism 44. Each component, the first clip member 14, the second clip member 24, and the product 12 are continuously moved along their respective conveyor mechanisms in their respective directions. The clip members 14 and 24 and/or the product 12 may rest upon their respective conveyor mechanisms 36, 40, and 44 by gravity. Alternatively, any one of these components may be transported in its respective direction by means of vacuum attachment. Moreover, it should be understood that the transport of the components as well as their direction of travel may be accomplished by any suitable manner well known in the art.

[0020] At a point in time, as shown in FIG. 2, each component reaches a desired location where the first and second clip members 14 and 24 are positioned in aligned, spaced apart relation with the clamping surfaces 16 and 26 disposed toward one another. By this point, the clip members 14 and 24 also are positioned in such a manner so that the latching components 18 and 28 as well as the hinge components 20 and 30 are also disposed one toward the other. The relative orientation of one clip member with respect to the other enables the clip members 14 and 24 to be joined together to form the clip 10.

[0021] Once the clip members 14 and 24 are oriented as described, and the product 12 is situated between the two clip members, the first and second clip members 14 and 24 are joined together by fastening the hinge component 20 of the first clip member 14 with the hinge component 30 of the second clip member 24. In some embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 5, the design of the hinge components 20 and 30 are such that once joined they are permanently fastened together. This may be accomplished by among other means, the application of an adhesive, ultrasonic welding, or heat bonding of one material to the other.

[0022] In some clip embodiments, including the ones depicted in FIGs. 3 and 4, the hinge components 20 and 30 are semi-permanently fastened to one another. This may be accomplished in any way known to those skilled in the art, including through the use of fasteners 46 such as shown in FIG. 4. The fasteners 46 may be configured in a number of possible configurations such as bayonet-type fasteners, snaps, clips, in addition to other male-to-female connections. Once fastened, these semi-permanent types of fasteners 46 are designed to remain in a fastened condition. However, should there exist reason to separate them, the process of separating them should not destroy their integrity.

[0023] Turning once again to FIG. 3, it can be seen that with the hinge components 20 and 30 joined as described above, the clip 10 is provided with a hinge 48. Additionally, the latching components 18 and 28 interact with one another so that in combination, they form a latch 50. The latch 50 is adapted to alternatively latch or unlatch the clip 10. As such, the product 12 once situated between the clamping surfaces 16 and 26 of the clip 10 may be retained by the clip 10.

[0024] In some embodiments, once the clip members 14 and 24 are fastened via the hinge 48, the latch 50 may not be immediately secured. It may be desirable to allow the clip 10 to remain in an open, unlatched position. As such, another practical configuration allows the clip 10 to be adhered either permanently or temporarily to the product 12. For instance, the clip 10 can be adhered through the application of an adhesive tape (not shown) to at least one portion of the clip 10 so as to secure it to the product 12. Alternatively, a hot melt or cold adhesive can be applied in the same manner to secure the clip 10 to the product 12.

[0025] The product 12 can be made in limitless configurations. In some embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 1, the product 12 may be a length of material such as a flexible fabric made of natural or synthetic fibers. Other embodiments such as shown in FIG. 2 envision the product 12 to be in the form of a container 52 having at least one open end 54 and a plurality of sealed sides 56. Such a container 52 may be constructed of a material capable of containing fluids, such as liquids. The container 52 may be adapted to contain fluids under pressure. As such, the design of the clip 10 should be capable of securing the container against leakage.

[0026] Clips 10 and containers 52 of the sort described are suitable for use in the medical industry among other fields. For example, containers of the present construction are adapted for use as saline bags, colostomy pouches, reusable ice packs and the like.

[0027] In one aspect of the invention, depicted in FIG. 4 automated assembly of the clip 10 with an ice pack 58 is depicted. The process described above may be used. However, in order to maintain a liquid seal on the ice pack 58, the clip 10 may be configured into a blade and trough arrangement. That is, in one possible configuration, one of the clip members 14 or 24 is configured into the shape of a substantially planar blade 60. As such, the remaining clip member is configured into a trough 62 within which the blade 60 resides. This trough and blade arrangement serves as the clamping surfaces 16 and 26 earlier described. As such, the ice pack 58 is captured between the blade 60 and trough 62.

[0028] In FIG. 5, another embodiment of the present invention of a clip 10 is shown. To enable the blade 60 and trough 62 to hinge property, a necked region 66 may be provided proximate to one end of either clip member 14 and/or 24. The necked region 66 may be made sufficiently thin and flexible as compared to the remainder of the clip member upon which it is located so as to force the necked region 66 to serve as a flexible hinge once the clip 10 Is assembled. The clip 10 is assembled by joining the blade 60 to the trough 62 at ends 70. The necked region 66 enables the clip 10 to open and close even though the first and second clip members 14 and 24 are otherwise fastened together at one end. In some embodiments, the necked region 66 enables the clip to hinge in substantially one plane. The necked region 66 can be thinned in either thickness, width, or both when compared to the remainder of the clip member 14 and/or 24.

[0029] Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A refillable pouch (12) and clip (10) arrangement comprising:

a refillable pouch (12) comprising a plurality of sealed sides (56) and an open end (54);

a first clip member (14) comprising a clamping surface (16), a latching component (18), and a hinge component (20), the clip member (14) mechanically manipulated into a desired orientation;

a second clip member (24) comprising a clamping surface (26), a latching component (28), and a hinge component (30), the clip member (24) mechanically manipulated into a desired orientation;

wherein the first (14) and the second (24) clip members are positioned in aligned, spaced apart relation with the clamping surfaces (16, 26) disposed one toward the other and the latching components (18, 28) and hinge components (20, 30) respectively disposed one toward the other with the pouch (12) proximate to the open end (54) positioned between the clamping surfaces (16, 26);
wherein the first (14) and second (24) clip members are fastened together by joining the hinge components (20, 30) thereby forming a clip (10) having a hinge end (48) and a releasable latch end (50) for capturing and retaining the pouch (12) between the clamping surfaces (16, 26) of the clip members (14, 24);
characterized in that
at least one of the hinge components (20; 30) comprising a necked region (66) proximate to one end of one of the clip members (14; 24), the necked region (66) comprising a thin flexible portion of the respective clip member (14; 24); and
the flexible neck (66) hinging the first (14) and second (24) clip members together.

2. The product of claim 1, wherein one of the clip members (14; 24) comprises a substantially planar blade (60) and the other of the clip members (14; 24) comprises a trough (62).

3. The product of claim 1, wherein the hinge components (20, 30) are permanently fastened one to the other.

4. The product of claim 1, comprising ultrasonically bonding the hinge components (20, 30) together.

5. The product of claim 1, comprising heat bonding the hinge components (20, 30) together.

6. The product of claim 1, wherein the hinge components (20, 30) are fastened by engaging a male connector with a female receiver.

7. The product of claim 1. wherein the hinge components (20, 30) are semi-permanently fastened one to the other.

8. The product of claim 1, wherein the necked region (66) enables the clip (10) to hinge in substantially one plane about the necked region (66).

9. The product of claim 1, wherein the pouch (12) is an ice pack.

10. The product of claim 1, wherein the pouch (12) is adapted for use in a medical procedure.

11. The product of claim 1, wherein the pouch (12) is a colostomy pouch.

12. The product of claim 1, wherein the pouch (12) contains a liquid and the clip seals the liquid within the pouch (12).

13. A pouch (12) sealed against leakage by a clip (10) comprising:

a pouch (12) comprising a plurality of sealed sides (56) and an open end (54) sealed against leakage by a clip (10) having a portion of the pouch (12) secured between clamping surfaces (18, 26) of the clip (10),

the clip (10) comprising two clip members (14, 24) rigidly joined at one end to form a connecting end (70);

characterized in that
the connecting end (70) is a connecting end with a necked region (66) disposed upon at least one of the clip members (14; 24) proximate to the connecting end (70), the necked region (66) for hinging the clip (10) selectively open and closed to selectively seal and unseal the pouch (12), and
the connecting end (70) formed by loading each clip member (14; 24) into a feed mechanism (22; 32) for subsequent mechanical manipulation and dispense in aligned, spaced apart relation with the pouch (12) disposed therebetween such that the ends to be rigidly joined are disposed one toward the other and subsequently fastened so that the pouch (12) is positioned between the clamping surfaces (16, 26).

14. The product of claim 13, wherein the clip (10) is adhered to the pouch (12).

15. The product of claim 14, wherein at least one clip member (14; 24) is adhered to the pouch (12) by an adhesive.

16. The product of claim 14, wherein at least one clip member (14; 24) is adhered to the pouch (12) by adhesive tape.

17. The product of claim 13, comprising permanently fastening the clip members (14, 24) at the connecting end (70).

18. The product of claim 13, comprising ultrasonically bonding the clip members (14; 24) at the connecting end (70).

19. The product of claim 13, comprising heat bonding the clip members (14; 24) at the connecting end (70).

20. The product of claim 13, comprising semi-permanently fastening the clip members (14; 24) at the connecting end (70).

21. The product of claim 20, wherein the connecting end (70) is secured by engaging a male fitting with a female fitting.

22. The product of claim 13, wherein the pouch (12) is an ice pack.

23. The product of claim 13, wherein the pouch (12) is adapted for use in a medical procedure.

24. The product of claim 13, wherein the pouch (12) is a colostomy pouch.

25. The product of claim 13, wherein the pouch (12) is a saline pouch.

26. The product of claim 13, wherein the pouch (12) is refillable.

27. The product of claim 13, wherein a separate necked region is disposed upon each clip member (14; 24).

28. The product of claim 13, wherein one of the clip members (14; 24) comprises a substantially planar blade (60) and the other of the clip members (14; 24) comprises a trough (62).

29. The product of claim 28, wherein the necked region (66) is disposed upon the clip member (14; 24) comprising the trough (62).

30. The product of claim 28, wherein the necked region (66) is disposed upon the clip member (14; 24) comprising the blade (60).

Ansprüche

1. Eine Anordnung eines wiederauffüllbaren Beutels (12) und eines Klipps (10) umfassend:

einen wiederauffüllbaren Beutel (12), der eine Mehrzahl von abgedichteten Seiten (56) und ein offenes Ende (54) umfasst;

ein erstes Klippelement (14), das eine Klemmfläche (16), eine Arretierkomponente (18) und eine Gelenkkomponente (20) umfasst, wobei das Klippelement (14) mechanisch in eine gewünschte Orientierung gebracht wird;

ein zweites Klippelement (24), das eine Klemmfläche (26), eine Arretierkomponente (28) und eine Gelenkkomponente (30) umfasst, wobei das Klippelement (24) mechanisch in eine gewünschte Orientierung gebracht wird;

wobei das erste (14) und das zweite (24) Klippelement in einer ausgerichteten beabstandeten Beziehung zu den Klemmflächen (16, 26) eines dem anderen gegenüber angeordnet positioniert sind, und die Arretierkomponenten (18, 28) und Gelenkkomponenten (20, 30) jeweils eine der anderen gegenüber angeordnet sind, wobei der Beutel (12) nahe dem offenen Ende (54) zwischen den Klemmflächen (16, 26) positioniert ist;
wobei das erste (14) und das zweite (24) Klippelement durch Verbinden der Gelenkkomponenten (20, 30) aneinander befestigt werden, wodurch ein Klipp (10) gebildet wird, der ein Gelenkende (48) und ein lösbares Arretierende (50) zum Ergreifen und Festhalten des Beutels (12) zwischen den Klemmflächen (16, 26) der Klippelemente (14, 24) besitzt;
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
zumindest eine der Gelenkkomponenten (20, 30) einen verjüngten Bereich (66) nahe einem Ende eines der Klippelemente (14, 24) umfasst, wobei der verjüngte Bereich (66) einen dünnen flexiblen Teil des entsprechenden Klippelements (14, 24) umfasst; und
der flexible Ansatz (66) das erste (14) und zweite (24) Klippelement einander anlenkt.

2. Das Produkt von Anspruch 1, in dem eines der Klippelemente (14, 24) eine im wesentlichen flache Schneide (60) umfasst, und das andere der Klippelemente (14, 24) eine Rinne (62) umfasst.

3. Das Produkt von Anspruch 1, in dem die Gelenkkomponenten (20, 30) eine an der anderen permanent aneinander befestigt sind.

4. Das Produkt von Anspruch 1, Ultraschallbondieren der Gelenkkomponenten (20, 30) aneinander umfassend.

5. Das Produkt von Anspruch 1, Wärmebondieren der Gelenkkomponenten (20, 30) aneinander umfassend.

6. Das Produkt von Anspruch 1, in dem die Gelenkkomponenten (20, 30) durch das Verbinden einer männlichen Steckverbindung und einer weiblichen Aufnahme befestigt werden.

7. Das Produkt von Anspruch 1, in dem die Gelenkkomponenten (20, 30) eine an der anderen halb-permanent aneinander befestigt sind.

8. Das Produkt von Anspruch 1, in dem es der verjüngte Bereich (66) dem Klipp (10) ermöglicht, sich im wesentlichen in einer Ebene um den verjüngten Bereich (66) auszulenken.

9. Das Produkt von Anspruch 1, in dem der Beutel (12) eine Eispackung ist.

10. Das Produkt von Anspruch 1, in dem der Beutel (12) dazu geeignet ist, in einem medizinischen Verfahren verwendet zu werden.

11. Das Produkt von Anspruch 1, in dem der Beutel (12) ein Kolostomiebeutel ist.

12. Das Produkt von Anspruch 1, in dem der Beutel (12) eine Flüssigkeit enthält undder Klipp die Flüssigkeit innerhalb des Beutels (12) abdichtet.

13. Ein Beutel (12), der gegen ein Auslaufen durch einen Klipp (10) abgedichtet ist, umfassend:

einen Beutel (12), der eine Mehrzahl von abgedichteten Seiten (56) und ein offenes Ende (54) umfasst, das gegen ein Auslaufen durch einen Klipp (10) abgedichtet ist, der einen Teil des Beutels (12) zwischen Klemmflächen (16, 26) des Klipps (10) gesichert hat,

wobei der Klipp (10) zwei Klippelemente (14, 24) umfasst, die fest an einem Ende verbunden sind, um ein Verbindungsende (70) zu bilden;
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass;
das Verbindungsende (70) ein Verbindungsende mit einem verjüngten Bereich (66) ist, der auf zumindest einem der Klippelemente (14, 24) nahe dem Verbindungsende (70) angeordnet ist, wobei der verjüngte Bereich (66) zum wahlweisen öffnenden und schließenden Auslenken des Klipps (10) zum wahlweisen Abdichten und Öffnen des Beutels (12) ist, und
das Verbindungsende (70) durch Laden jedes Klippelements (14, 24) in einen Lademechanismus (22; 32) zur nachfolgenden mechanischen Manipulation und Ausgabe in einer ausgerichteten beabstandeten Beziehung zu dem Beutel (12), der dazwischen angeordnet ist, so gebildet wird, dass die Enden, die fest miteinander zu verbinden sind, eines gegenüber dem anderen angeordnet sind und nachfolgend so befestigt werden, dass der Beutel (12) zwischen den Klemmflächen (16, 26) positioniert wird.

14. Das Produkt von Anspruch 13, in dem der Klipp (10) an dem Beutel (12) befestigt ist.

15. Das Produkt von Anspruch 14, in dem zumindest ein Klippelement (14; 24) durch ein Haftmittel an dem Beutel (12) befestigt ist.

16. Das Produkt von Anspruch 14, in dem zumindest ein Klippelement (14; 24) durch ein Klebeband an dem Beutel (12) befestigt ist.

17. Das Produkt von Anspruch 13, das permanente Befestigen der Klippelemente (14, 24) an dem Verbindungsende (70) umfassend.

18. Das Produkt von Anspruch 13, Ultraschallbondieren der Klippelemente (14, 24) an dem Verbindungsende (70) umfassend.

19. Das Produkt von Anspruch 13, Wärmebondieren der Klippelemente (14, 24) an dem Verbindungsende (70) umfassend.

20. Das Produkt von Anspruch 13, das halb-permanente Befestigen der Klippelemente (14, 24) an dem Verbindungsende (70) umfassend.

21. Das Produkt von Anspruch 20, in dem das Verbindungsende (70) durch Verbinden einer männlichen Kupplung mit einer weiblichen Kupplung gesichert wird.

22. Das Produkt von Anspruch 13, in dem der Beutel (12) eine Eispackung ist.

23. Das Produkt von Anspruch 13, in dem der Beutel (12) dazu geeignet ist, in einem medizinischen Verfahren verwendet zu werden.

24. Das Produkt von Anspruch 13, in dem der Beutel (12) ein Kolostomiebeutel ist.

25. Das Produkt von Anspruch 13, in dem der Beutel (12) ein Salinenbeutel ist.

26. Das Produkt von Anspruch 13, in dem der Beutel (12) wiederauffüllbar ist.

27. Das Produkt von Anspruch 13, in dem ein separater verjüngter Bereich auf jedem Klippelement (14; 24) angeordnet ist.

28. Das Produkt von Anspruch 13, in dem eines der Klippelemente (14; 24) eine im wesentlichen flache Schneide (60) umfasst, und das andere der Klippelemente (14, 24) eine Rinne (62) umfasst.

29. Das Produkt von Anspruch 28, in dem der verjüngte Bereich (66) auf dem Klippelement (14; 24) angeordnet ist, das die Rinne (62) umfasst.

30. Das Produkt von Anspruch 28, in dem der verjüngte Bereich (66) auf dem Klippelement (14; 24) angeordnet ist, das die Schneide (60) umfasst.

Revendications

1. Agencement de poche rechargeable (12) et pince (10), comprenant:

une poche rechargeable (12) comprenant une pluralité de faces scellées (56) et une extrémité ouverte (54) ;

un premier élément de pince (14) comprenant une surface de serrage (16), un composant de verrouillage (18) et un composant d'articulation (20), l'élément de pince (14) étant amené mécaniquement dans une orientation voulue ;

un second élément de pince (24) comprenant une surface de serrage (26), un composant de verrouillage (28) et un composant d'articulation (30), l'élément de pince (24) étant amené mécaniquement dans une orientation voulue ;

où le premier (14) et le second (24) éléments de pince sont positionnés selon une relation alignée et écartée, avec les surfaces de serrage (16, 26) disposées l'une vers l'autre, et les composants de verrouillage (18, 28) et les composants d'articulation (20, 30) disposés respectivement l'un vers l'autre, avec la poche (12), positionnée entre les surfaces de serrage (16, 26), à proximité de l'extrémité ouverte (54) ;
où le premier (14) et le second (24) éléments de pince sont attachés l'un à l'autre par réunion des composants d'articulation (20, 30), formant ainsi une pince (10) ayant une extrémité d'articulation (48) et une extrémité de verrouillage libérable (50) pour saisir et retenir la poche (12) entre les surfaces de serrage (16, 26) des éléments de pince (14, 24) ;
caractérisé en ce que
l'un au moins des composants d'articulation (20, 30) comprend une région rétrécie (66) au voisinage d'une extrémité de l'un des éléments de pince (14, 24), la région rétrécie (66) comprenant une portion mince et flexible de l'élément de pince respectif (14, 24) ; et
la partie rétrécie flexible (66) formant articulation entre le premier (14) et le second (24) éléments de pince.

2. Produit selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'un des éléments de pince (14, 24) comprend une lame sensiblement plane (60) et l'autre des éléments de pince (14, 24) comprend un creux (62).

3. Produit selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les composants d'articulation (20, 30) sont attachés en permanence l'un à l'autre.

4. Produit selon la revendication 1, comprenant la liaison ultrasonique des composants d'articulation (20, 30) entre eux.

5. Produit selon la revendication 1, comprenant la liaison thermique des composants d'articulation (20, 30) entre eux.

6. Produit selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les composants d'articulation (20, 30) sont attachés par venue en prise d'un connecteur mâle avec un récepteur femelle.

7. Produit selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les composants d'articulation (20, 30) sont attachés l'un à l'autre de façon semi-permanente.

8. Produit selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la région rétrécie (66) permet à la pince (10) d'être articulée sensiblement dans un plan autour de la région rétrécie (66).

9. Produit selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la poche (12) est une poche à glace.

10. Produit selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la poche (12) est adaptée à un usage dans une procédure médicale.

11. Produit selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la poche (12) est une poche à colostomie.

12. Produit selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la poche (12) contient un liquide et la pince enferme hermétiquement le liquide au sein de la poche (12).

13. Poche (12) fermée hermétiquement contre les fuites par une pince (10), comprenant:

une poche (12) comprenant une pluralité de faces scellées (56) et une extrémité ouverte (54) fermée hermétiquement contre les fuites par une pince (10) avec une portion de la poche (12) immobilisée entre les surfaces de serrage (16, 26) de la pince (10),

la pince (10) comprenant deux éléments de pince (14, 24) réunis rigidement à une extrémité pour former une extrémité de connexion (70);

caractérisée en ce que
l'extrémité de connexion (70) est une extrémité de connexion avec une région rétrécie (66) disposée sur l'un au moins des éléments de pince (14, 24) au voisinage de l'extrémité de connexion (70), la région rétrécie (66) permettant l'articulation de la pince (10), sélectivement ouverte et fermée, pour sélectivement fermer hermétiquement et ouvrir la poche (12), et
l'extrémité de connexion (70) est formée en chargeant chaque élément de pince (14, 24) dans un mécanisme d'alimentation (22, 32) pour une manipulation mécanique et une distribution ultérieures selon une relation espacée et alignée avec la poche (12) disposée entre elles, de telle sorte que les extrémités à réunir de façon rigide sont disposées l'une vers l'autre et ultérieurement attachées de façon que la poche (12) est positionnée entre les surfaces de serrage (16, 26).

14. Produit selon la revendication 13, dans lequel la pince (10) est collée à la poche (12).

15. Produit selon la revendication 14, dans lequel l'un au moins des éléments de pince (14, 24) est collé à la poche (12) par un adhésif.

16. Produit selon la revendication 14, dans lequel l'un au moins des éléments de pince (14, 24) est collé à la poche (12) par un ruban adhésif.

17. Produit selon la revendication 13, comprenant la fixation en permanence des éléments de pince (14, 24) au niveau de l'extrémité de connexion (70).

18. Produit selon le revendication 13, comprenant la liaison ultrasonique des éléments de pince (14, 24) au niveau de l'extrémité de connexion (70).

19. Produit selon la revendication 13, comprenant la liaison thermique des éléments de pince (14, 24) au niveau de l'extrémité de connexion (70).

20. Produit selon la revendication 13, comprenant la fixation semi-permanente des éléments de pince (14, 24) au niveau de l'extrémité de connexion (70).

21. Produit selon la revendication 20, dans lequel l'extrémité de connexion (70) est immobilisée par venue en prise d'un élément d'emboîtement mâle avec un élément d'emboîtement femelle.

22. Produit selon la revendication 13, dans lequel la poche (12) est une poche à glace.

23. Produit selon la revendication 13, dans lequel la poche (12) est adaptée à un usage dans une procédure médicale.

24. Produit selon la revendication 13, dans lequel la poche (12) est une poche à colostomie.

25. Produit selon la revendication 13, dans lequel la poche (12) est une poche à sérum physiologique.

26. Produit selon la revendication 13, dans lequel la poche (12) est rechargeable.

27. Produit selon la revendication 13, dans lequel une région rétrécie séparée est disposée sur chaque élément de pince (14, 24).

28. Produit selon la revendication 13, dans lequel l'un des éléments de pince (14, 24) comprend une lame substantiellement plane (60) et l'autre des éléments de pince (14, 24) comprend un creux (62).

29. Produit selon la revendication 28, dans lequel la région rétrécie (66) est disposée sur l'élément de pince (14, 24) comprenant le creux (62).

30. Produit selon la revendication 28, dans lequel la région rétrécie (66) est disposée sur l'élément de pince (14, 24) comprenant la lame (60).

Drawing